Alcohol use and problem drinking in South Africa: findings from a national population-based survey

Abstract

This study formed part of the South African National HIV, Incidence, Behaviour and Communication (SABSSM) 2008 survey, which included questions assessing the extent of alcohol use and problem drinking among South Africans. Method: A multistage random population sample of 15 828 persons aged 15 or older (56.3% women) was included in the survey. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT). Tabulation of data for different age groups, geolocality, educational level, income, and population group produced the estimates and associated confidence intervals. The odds ratios for these variables in relation to hazardous or harmful drinking were also computed. Results: Current alcohol use was reported by 41.5% of the men and 17.1% of women. White men (69.8%) were most likely and Indian/Asian women (15.2%) least likely to be current drinkers. Urban residents (33.4 %) were more likely than rural dwellers (18.3%) to report current drinking. Risky or hazardous or harmful drinking was reported by 9%: 17% among men and 2.9% among women. In men, risky drinking was associated with: the 20-54 year age group; the Coloured population group; lower economic status; and lower education. Among women, risky drinking was associated with: urban residence; the Coloured population group; lower education; and higher income. Conclusion: An increase in current, binge drinking and hazardous or harmful drinking prevalence rates was observed from 2005 to 2008 in South Africa. Multilevel interventions are required to target high-risk drinkers and to create awareness in the general population of the problems associated with harmful drinking. Future prospective studies are needed to assess the impact of problem drinking.

Nutritional status and food consumption patterns of primary school children in orange farm

“…This was demonstrated in this study as majorities (71.0%) of the caregivers were unemployed; the households were relying on pension funds and child grants as a source of income. This was also reported by a study conducted in the Western Cape whereby 66.0% of the caregivers depended on grants for economic survival [24]. As indicated that pension funds and grants are the main source of income, most of the households (27%) receive income of less than ZAR1000 (1 USD).…”

Conjoint alcohol and tobacco use among tuberculosis patients in public primary healthcare in South Africa

“…In terms of population groups, the coloured population had the highest risk for dual substance use, as has been reported in previous studies performed in SA. [34,35] Furthermore, congruent with previous findings, [1][2][3][4] TB retreatment patient status and non-adherence to anti-TB medication were associated with conjoint alcohol and tobacco use. However, unlike in other studies, [7,8,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] there was no association between mental problems, PTSD, poor quality of life and alcohol and tobacco use.…”

“…The prevalence of conjoint alcohol and tobacco use was 6.16 times higher among male than female patients. This finding conforms with previous studies in SA, [34] but is contrary to the results of a study conducted in Brazil. [33] In agreement with other studies, [14] a lower education level and greater degree of poverty were associated with conjoint alcohol and tobacco use.…”

Determinants of condom use at last sex by South African construction workers

“…Illicit drug use and excessive use of alcohol before sexual intercourse have been found to be associated with risky lifestyles and lack of condom use (Parry et al, 2005;Kalichman et al, 2007;Peltzer et al, 2011;Seth et al, 2011). Studies relating condom use to factors such as knowledge of how to use a condom and knowledge of STI transmission (Eggers et al, 2014), and to HIV-related knowledge (Villar-Loubet et al, 2013), suggest that HIV knowledge may be an important predictor of sexually risky behaviour in the South African context (Scott-Sheldon et al, 2013).…”